Entertainment Magazine: Tucson: Events

Tucson Holiday Events: Christmas and Hanukkah

Due to the ongoing pandemic, many annual Christmas and Hanukkah celebrations in Tucson are on-hold until further notice.

This year, Hanukkah (also spelled as Hannukah or Chanukah) falls on Thursday, December 10 through Friday, December 18, 2020.

Dates and times for some of these Tucson holiday events have not been finalized yet. Since they are annual events, follow the links for updated information. More events will be posted as they are announced.

Expect that any indoor or outdoor holiday events in Tucson will require face masks and social distancing.

These are some of the popular holiday activites and upcoming family daily and weekend winter events in Tucson. Submit your free Tucson holiday event to [email protected]

Today in Tucson Calendar

2020 Holiday Events in Tucson

• New Year's Eve Magic & Mystery Dinner Theater Show & Party with Tucson New Year's Comedy Magic Dinner Theater. Popular annual party of Tucson's night of magic, comedy, mystery and dinner at the Westward Look! Call 520-861-4800 for more information or RSVP. Last year's event sold out early. More about NYE Tucson Magic Show dinner theatre.
• Our Lady of Joy Catholic Parish will hold the 13th annual Christmas bazaar on Friday, November 13 and Saturday, November 14, 2018, from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The church is located at 36811 N. Pima Road in Carefree, Ariz. This popular community event, sponsored by Our Lady’s Guild, will feature numerous hand-picked vendors. Holiday shopping deals and cool items include jewelry, ladies apparel, photography, a pet boutique, fused glass, purses, quilts, rock art sculptures, gourd art, holiday ornaments and wreaths, children and doll apparel, imported olive oils, woodworking/cutting boards, beaded wrapped silverware, watercolor paintings, metal yard art, Native American crafts and more. Admission is free and there is plenty of parking. COVID-19 alert: Every precaution is being put in place to allow for social distancing and masks will be required. Please check oloj.org closer to the event to verify status. For more information, call 480.575.5238.

• Holiday Nights at Tohono Chul Park may hold it annual holiday event this year with music, home-baked cookies, shopping, holiday dining, stroll through thousands of twinkling lights, live music. 7366 N. Paseo Del Norte, 520-742-6455.

• The Tucson Arizona Boys Chorus Tree Lot will be open Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Hours of operation are Fridays and Saturdays from 10am to 9pm and Sundays 10am to 7pm. The lot features fresh cut trees at competitive prices. Trees available include Douglas Fir, Noble Fir, Grand Fir and Nordman Fir. Deliveries are available. The Chorus also sells fresh wreaths and garland.

• Reid Park Zoo Lights may be open with Santa, entertainment, hot chocolate, food and snow. 6pm-8pm. Check web site for updates. Reid Park Zoo, 3400 E. Zoo Court. reidparkzoo.org/event/zoo-lights-2019

• Oro Valley Festival of the Arts & Holiday Tree Lighting Celebration has not announced a holiday celebration event.

• Marana Holiday Festival and Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony is the biggest Christmas tree and light show in Southern Arizona. Schedule to be announced. 11555 W. Civic Circle Drive in Marana. Free event.
• SAHUARITA HOLIDAY ARTISAN MARKET, December 19 & 20, 2020, ​Saturday 10 AM - 5 PM, ​Sunday 11 AM - 4 PM. Free Admission. The Sahuarita Holiday Artisan Market adds vibrancy to Sahuarita by creating opportunities for people of all ages, cultures, and backgrounds to experience the visual arts and support local artists. This market features up to 45 juried artists and exhibitors in all mediums and special socially distanced art experiences. ​ Two food trucks will be onsite throughout the weekend.

• Ballet Tucson will host its 19th Annual Sugar Plum Tea. There are few things more rewarding than experiencing the joy of tradition during the holiday season, and the Sugar Plum Tea has become a tradition for Tucson families.
• Fourth Avenue Winter Street Fair is held the first weekend of December all along 4th Avenue near Downtown between Ninth St. and University Blvd. Join tens of thousands of Tucsonans and visitors to see more than 400 arts & craft booths, food, entertainers & musicians from around the US, 2 stages & street performers. Free from 10 am - 6 pm. Free event.
• Holiday Arts Market is a great opportunity to purchase holiday gifts! The market features contemporary and traditional American Indian jewelry, Mata Ortiz pottery and jewelry, Zapotec rugs, and Oaxacan woodcarvings. Call 520-622-6014.
• Tucson's Regional Ballet's "A Southwest Nutcracker." This annual holiday event in Tucson brings you to Tucson in the 1880s with a southwest version of "The Nutcracker." Schedule to be announced for Tucson holidays. Tucson Music Hall, 260 S. Church Avenue.
• Winterhaven Festival of Lights is one of the longest running festivals of its kind in the country. The Festival of Lights celebrates the holiday season in Tucson and is visited by hundreds of thousands of people from all over southern Arizona. Free event.
• 18th Annual Miracle en el Barrio event, presented by NOVA® Home Loans, is located at 602 W. Ajo Way in Tucson. Schedule to be announced.

Wednesday, December 25, 2020: Christmas Day in Tucson. All Tucson Holiday Events Calendar.

• New Year's Eve 2021 Magic & Mystery Dinner Theater Show & Party with Tucson New Year's Comedy Magic Dinner Theater. Popular annual party of Tucson's night of magic, comedy, mystery and dinner at the Westward Look! Call 520-861-4800 for more information or RSVP. Last year's event sold out early. More about NYE Tucson Magic Show dinner theatre.

• New Year's Eve Events in Tucson

Tucson Hanukkah Events in 2020

• Jewish Community Center (JCC) Upcoming Tucson Hanukkah events will be posted soon.

See all December 2020 Events

New Year's Events in Tucson

Submit your free Tucson holiday event to [email protected]

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Holiday Festivals in Southern Arizona

• CASABEL: The 38th Annual Cascabel Community Fair is held on the banks of the San Pedro River.
• TUBAC: Luminaria Nights: Fiesta de la Navidad - Village of Tubac, hundreds of luminarias line the streets and artist studios, shops open until 9 pm, carolers, homemade food, Santa, free, 520-398-2704.
• TUMACACORI: 48th Annual La Fiesta de Tumacacori - celebrating the many cultures that were historically and presently associated with the Santa Cruz Valley, traditional creations of all the cultures including 50 food and craft booths, continuous live entertainment on stage and children’s activities, a Mariachi Mass preceded by a traditional procession on Sunday, free, 520-398-2341.

Holiday Sporting Events

• 5th Annual Walk for Kids - UA Mall, join 1,000 walkers supporting Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southern Arizona, presented by McDonald’s Local Owner/Operators, HSL Properties, and Walgreens, features family activities in a Kids’ Zone, music, snacks, hot beverages, special appearances by Santa Claus, Ronald McDonald, the UA Pep Band and more, registration includes your official Walk for Kids long-sleeved t-shirt, 8 am.
• Jingle Bell Walk held at Reid Park. This popular Tucson events has jingle bells on the shoes of 100s of people walking & running a 5K, costumes, food, fun, children's activities, free T-shirt, $35 minimum pledge for Arthritis Foundation, check in at 9 am, 520-917-7070.
• USTA National Winter Tennis Championships at the Reffkin Tennis Center is a top-rated 12- and under-14-year-old tennis players compete in major, annual United States Tennis Association (USTA) sanctioned event, 520-791-4896.
• Winterhaven Run Through the Lights in Winterhaven Square. 5K fun run through the lights of the Winterhaven neighborhood, flat, paved course, closed to automobiles, festive, holiday attire is encouraged, free, 6 pm, 520-326-9383.
• Zoo Lights at Reid Park Zoo. Twinkling lights and jingle bells, Santa Claus, and holiday decor, music, and refreshments, $1-4, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights, 6-8 pm, 520-791-4022.

Christmas Tree Lots

• Tucson Arizona Boys Chorus Christmas Tree Lot is staffed by Chorus members and their parents, and has been a traditional holiday fundraiser for the non-profit group. The lot will be open through from 12:00 noon to 9:00 PM Mondays through Thursdays, 10:00AM to 9:00PM Fridays and Saturdays and 10:00AM to 7:00 PM on Sundays.

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